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If you’re in the market for a new home but aren’t sure you want a big yard to take care of, you’ve probably considered buying a townhouse. But do you really know what you’re getting? While it may seem natural to lump apartments, condos and townhouses together, there are distinct differences between them. Here’s what you need to know to decide whether or not a townhouse is right for you.

What is a townhouse?

A townhouse is generally described as a two-to-four story building that has common walls with neighboring properties. You may also sometimes hear a townhouse referred to as a row house. Townhouses can be found in every type of community, from rural to metropolitan neighborhoods. The building is on a very small footprint, and usually contains a tiny landscaped yard. Generally speaking, living rooms and kitchens are on the first floor, while bedrooms are on the upper floors. Many townhouses also include garages in the front or back.

What is the difference between a townhouse and a condominium?

While most people think of condominiums and townhouses interchangeably, there is one distinct difference. With a condo, you own only the airspace inside the walls. But with a townhouse, you actually own the little piece of land that the house sits on. So if owning a piece of property is important to you, then opt for a townhouse over a condo.

How is maintenance handled for a townhouse?

A townhouse community often contains shared amenities, such as a pool or rec room. As a result, most townhouses require monthly payments to a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) to keep up with maintenance costs of these shared spaces. HOA fees can also cover the upkeep and maintenance of your yard and the exterior of your home.

What are the pros of a townhouse?

Some of the reasons that homeowners enjoy living in townhouses include:

• Not having to deal with upkeep of outdoor spaces, like cleaning up leaves, mowing the lawn or snow removal.
• Owning the land on which the townhouse sits.
• Having neighbors nearby, so it’s great for security and for those who want to feel like their neighbors are looking out for them, especially the elderly or those with medical issues.
• Having interior finishes that are more modern or luxurious than what you could afford in a single-family home.
• Traveling is easier with a townhouse, as security and upkeep are generally taken care of for you.

What are the cons of a townhouse?

Here are some things to consider that might make townhouse living less than ideal for you:

• Not having as much privacy as you would with a single-family home.
• Sharing walls with your neighbors on either side.
• Not having a yard if you enjoy gardening or want a big outdoor space for your kids or pets to play.
• Having less freedom with your outdoor decorating style, as you’ll need to follow the guidelines established by the HOA.
• Having no room to expand, especially if you are considering growing your family or you anticipate having an elderly parent move in.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Have you ever stopped to consider how important your home is to your safety and health? Did you ever think about the connection between the place where you live and your family’s wellbeing?  Have you stopped to consider what life might be like if you didn’t have a safe place to come home to, where you feel comfortable putting your children to bed each night?

There are more than 800 million people worldwide who live in inadequate housing in slums. How would their lives change if they were given safe, clean homes in which to live?

Why are homes so important?

For the charity New Story, everything starts with a home. Having a safe, consistent place to live gives people a foundation on which to thrive. Children living in inadequate housing have a much higher rate of death due to unsanitary conditions, and even replacing a dirt floor with concrete significantly reduces the number of parasitic infections they can develop and can even look fabulous in a home if they are maintained by polishing concrete services. Professionals will apply specific concrete chemicals that will make their surfacing work last a long time.

In addition, children living in slums are less likely to go to school and as a result have fewer opportunities as they age.

New Story believes that when families are given a home with clean water, appropriate sanitation, a concrete floor and a roof, that they are healthier. When their basic needs are met they have more opportunity to focus on income and to send children to school.

What does New Story do?

New Story focuses on transforming slums into communities by building homes. They work from the idea that nobody knows better what they need than those in the community, and their work focuses on the expressed needs of that community. They train local labor and buy local materials to build the homes, stimulating local economies. In their words, they help “families transition out of survival mode” so that they “can begin focusing on their new story.”

New Story is currently supporting relief efforts in Haiti, transforming the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew. More than 60,000 people are without shelter, and they are collecting donations to build durable homes and create sustainable communities in the country.

Who is behind New Story?

New Story is comprised of a small team based in San Francisco. They are aided by a team of advisors who are leaders in the field, including Pete Flint, the founder of Trulia, and David Butler, the VP of Innovation at Coca-Cola.

How can you help?

New Story uses 100% of all donations to hire local workers and buy local materials. A private group of donors fund operations so that all public donations can be used to build homes. Each home costs approximately $6,000 to build. When you donate to New Story, you receive a video of the specific family that you helped, moving into their new home.

Would you like more information?

If you’d like more information about New Story, their team, where they work, who they partner with and how it all helps families in need of safe housing, please visit their website at https://www.newstorycharity.org/

Compliments of Virtual Results

There’s no doubt that daydreaming about your upcoming move to a new city on the other side of the country is exciting. Think of all the new things you’ll get to experience – getting to know a new town, meeting new people and discovering what makes this new place special.

What’s not so great? Thinking about all the planning that a cross-country move involves. If you’re getting ready to jump from one side of the country to the other, here’s what you need to do to prepare.

Start planning now

It’s never too early to start planning. Moving long distance can be logistically complex, and getting a jumpstart is key to making sure the move goes as smoothly as possible. Ideally, you should begin planning at least eight weeks before your move date.

Lighten the load

Chances are, you’ve been holding on to things in your house that you don’t really need or love anymore. Now is the time to go through all your belongings, and sell or donate what you don’t want to take with you. Remember, the larger your moving load, the more expensive it will be. Consider what you can easily replace when you arrive at your new destination.

Arrange transport

How will you get your belongings from Point A to Point B? Will you hire a moving company? Will you be renting a truck and packing it yourself? Doing a combination of both? Do your research to find the most reputable companies and compare rates. Decide on your moving date and book your company or rental.

Create a to-do list

The weeks leading up to your big move are going to be busy and probably a little stressful (okay, maybe a lot stressful). Do yourself a favor and create a master to-do list of everything that needs to be accomplished by moving day. If you’re moving with your family, share this list on Google Docs or another sharing platform and designate who will be responsible for each item.

Collect boxes and begin packing

Unless you’re paying a moving company to pack your items, start collecting boxes as soon as possible and packing them up. Be sure to clearly mark the contents of boxes on the outside and fill them full. Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and save lighter items for the big boxes.

Set aside important documents and valuables

While you’re packing, locate all your important documents and valuables and set them aside. You should carry these items separately with you, not in the moving truck with other items.

Cancel accounts and change address

A couple of weeks before the move, cancel local memberships and contact your utility companies for shut-off dates. Fill out a change of address form with the post office and alert employers, banks and other important places of your new address.

Stay calm

It’s easier said than done, but do try to stay calm during the process. Be sure to allow for some time to decompress, either by doing something fun like watching a movie or taking a hot bath. Remember – it’s likely to be stressful for a couple of weeks, but eventually the move will come to an end and you’ll be happily exploring your new community!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Can you feel the chill in the air? Old Man Winter is on his way – which means it’s time to get your garden ready for the coming cold weather. By doing these gardening chores now, you’ll give yourself a great start for the next planting season. If you’re about to build a garden, make sure that you have a landscape design that will help make its maintenance more manageable no matter the season.

Here’s a rundown of what you should accomplish before winter descends.

Clean Up

Prepare perennials by cutting back dry or dead stems to the ground once frost appears. For some perennials, such as ornamental grasses or those with seed pods, you may choose to leave them until the end of winter/beginning of spring to add visual interest to your garden. They also give beneficial insects like butterflies and moths a place to lay their eggs or build their cocoons, which will then hatch in the spring.

Rake up leaves to have them collected by the city. Even better, run over leaves with your lawn mower and use them as mulch on the lawn and in garden beds. Or collect and compost them with other clippings, spent plants and kitchen scraps. You’ll be thrilled to then have nutrient-rich material to add to your soil in the spring.

Care for the Lawn

Your lawn needs residential lawn care or grass services now before winter arrives. Keep mowing the lawn and reseed any spots that are thin and if  is too long getting a Cutting Grass service is the best choice. Add a half-inch of compost on top to build up the root system and aerate any patches that have become compacted. Fertilize well and keep it watered if it gets too dry. Visit https://drjimz.com/products/cannabis-nutrient-marijuana-fertilizer if you’re looking for the perfect fertilizer for you cannabis plants.

Feed and Mulch Garden Beds

Your plants are only as healthy as the soil they grow in, and now is the perfect time to help beef it up for the next growing season. Add high-quality compost to your garden beds and top with a one- to two-inch layer of mulch. Adding compost and mulch now gives them time to break down, so in the springtime your soil will be fertile. Mulch also helps to make sure winter rains don’t wash any loose soil away.

Attend to Tools and Irrigation Systems

If you live in an area that experiences freezing weather, be sure to turn off your irrigation system and drain the lines before that first cold snap. Drain your garden hoses and store them in the garage, basement or shed for the winter. Drain or add fuel stabilizer to your lawn mower and any other gas-powered equipment.

Clean up all your tools like shovels and shears. Remove any caked-on dirt and coat metal parts to keep them from rusting. Tools with wooden handles can be treated with linseed oil to keep them from drying out. Store all your tools in a dry place over the winter.

Bring Potted Plants Indoors

If you like to give your houseplants a breath of fresh air over the summer, you should now bring them inside before it gets too cold. Flush the pots with water to remove any insects you don’t want hitching a ride inside. Remove dead or dying leaves, trim up the branches and add a fresh layer of mulch on top of the soil. When finding a place for them inside, be sure it mimics the type of light they became accustomed to outside, or slowly introduce them to their new home.

Compliments of Virtual Results

We understand the dilemma – you absolutely love the handmade patchwork quilt you inherited from your grandmother, but it really doesn’t go well with your Mid-century Modern décor. Or perhaps your spouse owns of collection of antique books that have been passed down from generation to generation – but you’re just not sure how to display them. No matter what the situation, it can be tough to work family hand-me-downs into your aesthetic.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to make it work. Here are the best ideas we’ve found to decorate your home with your cherished family heirlooms.

Handle with care

When dealing with family treasures, you should treat everything with more care than you might with something you picked up at Target. If you have anything framed, be sure to use archival quality, acid free products. If an item is damaged, say an upholstered chair has a tear or a secretary desk has some chips, have it professionally repaired, instead of trying to fix it on your own. Many items may lose value if they aren’t repaired or restored properly in a way that’s in keeping with the period they are from.

Don’t be afraid to mix styles

When the bulk of your home décor comes from the same store or is in the same style, it can look a little static, like it just leaped off the pages of a catalog. By mixing in family treasures and pieces from other eras, you give your space depth and character. In fact, those family heirlooms tell a story and could be a wonderful conversation starter for when you have guests. So don’t be afraid to pair that metal and glass table with a Victorian-era lamp.

Update pieces that are tired or worn

Perhaps you have a set of dining chairs from your grandmother that you love, but have seen better days. Why not give them a modern facelift, especially if you’re not concerned about devaluing the pieces. Paint them a bold color and reupholster the seat with a vibrant fabric that gives a modern look to a vintage silhouette. The result can be very exciting and really enliven your space.

Group items into an eclectic collection

Do you have a box of old skeleton keys from your family ‘s previous homes? Why not display them as a collection? Has your family been collecting seashells from every beach vacation for the last 50 years? Put them in a beautiful glass apothecary jar and display it on a bookshelf. And those antique books and typewriter will look amazing as a display in your home office. Light up a room full of antiques with nautical sconces. Let your imagination help you find how the items you’ve inherited are connected, and use that to guide your displays. You may visit some trusted sites like https://www.antiques.co.uk/ if you’re looking for more great antique collections!

Let go of obligation

One important thing to remember when choosing how to use heirlooms in your home, is that you should not feel obligated to display them. Some items just aren’t your taste or style, and that’s okay. If you don’t love an item, or it doesn’t bring you happy memories, it’s perfectly acceptable to pass it to another family member or keep it in storage.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You don’t have to be a billionaire to enjoy a little luxury. With some smart choices and a bit of imagination, you can live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. For instance, you may get a water softener installation to improve the quality of water in your bathroom and kitchen. Here are some more strategies to maximize the luxuriousness of your home and life while minimizing the amount of money you spend.

Focus on quality, not quantity

Living a minimal lifestyle has been popular in the media lately, whether it’s following Marie Kondo’s advice about tidying your home, or transforming your closet into a capsule wardrobe. What each of these concepts stresses is prioritizing quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing 12 trendy, discount home décor pieces that you kind of like, why not save that money and splurge on one quality, timeless piece that you really love and that you’ll use for years? Then if you love horses, you should have a look at this wonderful equestrian homeware store, as they offer some gorgeous equestrian homeware, and you can even personalize a lot of the products.

Brighten a room with fresh flowers

Ever notice when you walk into a room that has a vase of fresh flowers, it just feels a little more special? There’s no reason you can’t have that feeling all the time. Fresh flowers can be very inexpensive – you can even gather some from your own yard. For an added bit of luxury, put them in a special pitcher or vase that you might normally only use on special occasions. There’s no reason every day can’t be a special occasion!

Buy vintage furniture

You can make your home look fabulous for far less money if you’re willing to buy some of your furniture secondhand from an antique furniture online store. Not only will you save, you’ll likely get a higher quality item with unique character than if you spent the same amount of money in one of today’s big box retailers. Check a local furniture store, online classifieds and yard sales to score some great deals.

Looking for a gorgeous bedroom collection, a sectional, a vanity dresser, or a full bunk bed? Look no further than Homeelegance furniture deals as your source for furniture! Whether you want a new look for your living room with all-new furniture, or you need a new dining room table and chair set, you have many styles to choose from.

Splurge on good sheets

One place in your home where luxury really counts is the bedroom. But instead of splurging on a fancy duvet or bedroom furniture, use your money to invest in a good set of sheets. There’s nothing quite like slipping into bed every night wrapped up in luxurious fabric. And think of how much better you’ll sleep and feel in the morning!

Use those fancy soaps and candles

If you’re like many people, you’ve probably amassed a collection of fragrant soaps and candles during the years. And like most people, you’re probably saving them for company or for a special occasion. But there’s no reason to wait! Bust out those wonderful soaps and candles and use them around your house. You deserve it.

Take advantage of free local events

Communities across America host free events all the time. Have you ever actually attended any of them? There are so many fun activities to enjoy, from free outdoor movie nights at the park to the book club at the library. Search for free events in your area using Google and check the websites of your local library, parks and schools for fun activities happening in your area.

So there you have it! You don’t have to be rolling in cash to enjoy a little luxury in your life. Try one of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to living a more pampered and luxurious lifestyle!

Compliments of Virtual Results

An important part of buying a house is getting your financial life in order. One reason is that the higher your credit score, the better rate you’ll secure for your mortgage. Mortgage lenders look at your credit score to determine how smart and diligent you are about debt management, which could indicate how disciplined you’ll be about making your mortgage payments on time.

If you’re preparing to buy a home, here are some things you’ll want to avoid that can negatively impact your credit score.

Not checking your credit report

Preparing to buy a home means you need to check your credit report. Around 25 percent of credit reports contain errors, which can negatively impact your credit score. You can check your report for free every year. If you find any mistakes, including an address or credit card that isn’t yours, you should take the necessary steps to have the error corrected.

Making late payments

Think it doesn’t matter whether or not you pay your bills on time? Think again. Your payment history is a significant factor in determining your credit score. The more often you make late payments, the lower your score will be. If you find yourself behind on a payment, call the customer service department. In some cases they will give you a goodwill adjustment or delete the incident from your history if it was the first time.

Closing an old account

While paying off and closing an old credit card seems like it would be a good idea, it’s not advisable to do it before you apply for a mortgage. Closing old accounts can decrease your credit history while increasing how much of your available credit you’re using. Avoid closing your oldest card if at all possible.

Not paying your taxes

If you rack up unpaid state and federal taxes, it can damage your credit for up to 15 years – not a great idea if you’re hoping to buy a home. In addition, tax liens that are paid remain on your report for seven years. Pay those taxes, folks.

Financing a major purchase

If you’re getting your finances in order to buy a home, avoid using credit to finance a major purchase such as a car, appliance or vacation. Up to a third of your credit score is influenced by how much debt you carry and affects your debt-to-income utilization ratio. The more debt you take on, the lower your credit score will be.

Not paying parking tickets or library fines

This may come as a shock, but that $4.25 you owe the library can actually harm your credit score. And if you’re sitting on parking tickets, get those paid off as well. More and more local governments are reporting these types of unpaid fees to collection agencies, which will then show up on your credit report, negatively affecting your score.

In the end, being responsible about your purchases, making your payments on time, settling debts and being diligent about spotting errors are the best ways to make sure your credit score is as high as it can be.

Compliments of Virtual Results

One of the frustrations you may encounter when selling your home is dealing with people who may not be serious about buying. Perhaps they’re just testing the waters of the market or daydreaming about one day owning a home when they walk into your open house. You can save yourself a lot of annoyance by learning how to spot the serious buyers.

They’re preapproved for a mortgage

The one thing all serious buyers know is that they need to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking for a home in earnest. That preapproval from a lender is a signal to sellers that says they’re ready – and able – to move forward with an offer. They’ve taken the time to be vetted by a lender and they’re financially capable of purchasing a home. Any potential buyers who have not yet been preapproved for a mortgage should move behind those on your list who have.

They’re looking at homes that match their wish list

Perhaps a potential buyer comes along that is looking for a home in a certain price range and yours fits the bill. But you learn that they are really hoping for a home in a suburban community that is close to amenities, while your home is a rural property on the outskirts of town. If your home doesn’t hit the marks on a buyer’s wish list, it’s likely they aren’t serious about it.

They’re more likely to be judgmental

Buyers who aren’t too serious about putting in an offer on your home are more likely to be polite and friendly when taking a tour. But those who are a little more reserved or point out various flaws? It’s more likely they’re the ones who are actually thinking seriously about your home. Don’t let their poker faces throw you off. Most buyers know or have been coached by their agent to refrain from displaying an emotional response to your home.

They return for a second or third look

Those buyers who come back for a second or even a third look at your home? Those are the people who are the most interested and probably the most likely to put in an offer. Those who are just browsing will not take the time to come back for another look.

They make possessive comments

Seasoned real estate agents are attuned to what potential buyers are saying about your home, and there are certain types of comments that can provide clues that a buyer is serious. If they make remarks about how a piece of their furniture will fit in a room or how nice one of their rugs will look in the living room, they are already envisioning themselves living in the space.

They’ve been looking for awhile

Buyers that are at the beginning of the process looking at their first homes probably aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and put in an offer without looking at other homes first for comparison. The further the buyer is into the process, the more likely they are serious. This is especially true if they are up against any deadlines, like the beginning of a new job or the start of the school year.

Selling your home can be an emotional and complex process, but learning to spot serious buyers can save you time and heartache in the end.

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Do you have dreams of bringing home a new best friend, but you think your place is just too small? Do you wish you could have a Saint Bernard, but know that he might not fit in your 500 square foot condo? Is your son begging you for a pet boa constrictor, but you’re just not sure you can sleep in your own house, knowing that snake is in the next room?

If you’ve been wishing for a pet to call your own, but afraid your home is too small, we’re here to put your fears to rest. These pets are perfect for those of you who are big on love but short on square footage.

Hermit Crabs

If you long to revisit your childhood days at the shore, why not get yourself a hermit crab? Sold as living reminders of your vacation from many a seaside souvenir shop, hermit crabs actually make great pets, as they’re quite social. They do require just the right environment and the appropriate diet, but are otherwise low maintenance. Treat them right, and they could become a lifelong companion, as evidenced by this 40-year-old hermit crab known as Jonathan Livingston Crab.

Fancy Rodents

Longing for something cute and furry? How about a fancy rodent like a hamster, guinea pig or rat? Before you curl your lips in revulsion at the thought of having a pet rat, they are highly intelligent and can be taught tricks, which could be really fun to demonstrate at your next party. If you live alone and tend to get a little lonely, guinea pigs are known to be talkative, with a large vocabulary of whines, squeaks and clicks. They make great conservation partners.

Pygmy Hedgehogs

If you’re looking to increase your followers on Instagram, then a photogenic pygmy hedgehog is just the ticket. Purchase a hedgehog from a reputable breeder and handle them regularly while they’re still young so they get used to it. They also don’t seem to mind being alone, which is a bonus.

Rabbits

Rabbits can make a great alternative to a cat or dog, if you want something fluffy to love. Rabbits are friendly and social and can be great companions to humans, with lifespans of up to 10 years. Rabbits do require far more care than some of the pets mentioned above, and aren’t a great match for families with young children. It’s also important to remember the time commitment – far too many rabbits end up in shelters after being given as gifts during Easter.

Birds

Small birds, such as parakeets, finches and cockatiels can make excellent, if noisy, pets with minimal needs outside of a cage, toys and human interaction. Large birds, like parrots and macaws, are undeniably fabulous, but require expert care. If you decide to adopt a feathered friend, it’s best to get a small one unless you are an experienced bird keeper.

So there you have it! If you’d like to welcome a pet into your life, but traditional pets like dogs or cats won’t work in your space, try one of the suggestions above. You never know what kind of creature may end up stealing your heart and working perfectly in your small home. If you really want a dog, though, you may consider a border terrier. You can do a research on border terrier temperament first to find out if it’s the right breed for you.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re buying a home, you are going to come across this word many times during the process – escrow. If you’re a first time homebuyer, you may have no idea what it means. Even if you have bought a home in the past, escrow may still be something you find confusing. Although it can be a scary-sounding word, it’s not nearly as worrisome as it sounds.

What is escrow?

First of all, let’s define what escrow actually is. To put it simply, escrow is a financial arrangement where an impartial third party holds something of value in a transaction between two other parties. In this case, the “something of value” is usually a buyer’s earnest money check, which would be written when an offer is placed on a home. The check remains in escrow while the terms of the deal are negotiated, and neither the buyer nor the seller can access it.

See? Not so scary.

Who manages escrow?

An escrow agent or officer is the person who maintains an escrow account. The agent can be a person from the closing company, a title company agent or even an attorney. Basically, the escrow agent acts like a gatekeeper, managing what comes in and goes out of the account. It is their job to make sure that all the instructions that were agreed upon between the buyer and seller are carried out.

How does escrow work?

The main purpose of escrow is to protect all parties by making sure that all conditions of an agreement have been met before any money or property changes hands. As each step of the closing process is completed, paperwork and documents are filed with the escrow agent. This could include documentation that repairs have been made, reports from the home inspection, and paperwork regarding other tasks that were agreed to by both parties. Once each step is completed, either the buyer or seller signs a contingency release form so that the transaction can move forward to the next step.

How does escrow protect both buyers and sellers?

Escrow is an arrangement that is created to protect both parties involved in the sale of a home. Escrow protects buyers by making sure sellers don’t receive any money until all aspects of the deal have been satisfied, including needed repairs that were agreed upon. On the flipside, escrow protects sellers in case buyers decide to back out of the deal without a legitimate reason. In this case, the sellers would be entitled to keep the earnest money check that comes from the buyers when the offer was made – typically, one to two percent of the purchase price.

What is “closing of escrow?”

At the end of the process, you will no doubt hear someone talk about “closing of escrow.” This happens when all of the conditions of the transaction are completed, the purchase of the home is finalized, and the money is properly disbursed. The escrow agent then clears or records the title, giving the buyers official ownership. Buyers and sellers will then receive a final closing statement in the mail. Check over any documents you receive to make sure they are correct, and contact your agent if you see any errors.

While buying a home can be a little scary – especially when you hear words or terms you’ve never heard before – don’t let the concept of escrow scare you. As you can see, it’s a straightforward process that protects all the parties involved with the sale of a home.

Compliments of Virtual Results